Read Online Relative Happiness by Lesley Crewe - Free Book Online

Lex.”
    â€œHi.”
    â€œWhat are you doing?”
    â€œTalking to you.”
    â€œWhat’s on for tonight? Do you and Adrian have plans?”
    Lexie knew the magic name would crop up.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œRight, right. Tell me. Exactly what is this relationship of yours with Adrian?”
    â€œHe’s my roommate.”
    â€œIs that it?”
    â€œLook, why do you ask me stupid questions? Don’t you have anything better to do, like spend time with Dick?”
    â€œHis name is Richard.”
    â€œRichard then. Isn’t he the one you’re in love with this week?”
    Gabby hung up. That was twice now.

    â€œHello?”
    â€œAdrian?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œIt’s Gabby.”
    He knew it was as soon as she said hello.
    â€œGabby. It’s lovely to hear your voice.”
    â€œIs it?”
    There was a long pause.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWill you meet me?”
    â€œWhere?”
    She gave him the address.
    â€œI’ll be there.”
    â€œI’ll be waiting.”
    She opened the door and held her breath. He closed the door, stood and looked at her. He put out his hand. She took it. He put out his other hand. She took that. He pulled her slowly towards him. He pulled her until she stood toe to toe with him, their hands entwined down by their sides.
    He touched her cheek with his own, tenderly. He moved his head slightly up and down and then back and forth. Just like that. They stood just like that for an endless moment.
    His mouth was open. He brushed his lips on her face with the slightest touch, over and over until he reached her lips. When that happened, they forgot everything.

    At rehearsal Adrian missed four cues. Donalda was annoyed. “What’s going on with him?”
    â€œTake a pill for God’s sake. He’s fine. Anyone can forget a line.”
    Donalda put her hands on her hips. “He forgot his character’s name.”
    â€œIt’s true, Lexie,” Susie nodded. “He seems different. Not his usual happy self.”
    â€œAdrian might pretend to be happy in front of you but he’s often quiet by himself. He doesn’t feel the need to run off at the mouth, like some.” Lexie looked at Donalda.
    â€œI’d be in a foul mood too, if I had to live with you.”
    â€œOh shut up, the both of you,” Susan pleaded. “You drive me crazy.”
    Lexie went to her mom’s a few days later to copy out her recipe for chocolate cake.
    Her mom peeled carrots by the sink. “Lexie, have you spoken to your sister recently?”
    She grabbed a carrot and took a bite. “Which one? Why don’t you ever say their name? I have three of them. I can’t read your mind.”
    â€œYou got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning. That’s not peeled by the way.”
    She shrugged.
    Her mother looked at her. “Are you okay, honey? You seem kind of down.”
    She pouted. “I don’t know.”
    â€œSomeone needs a hug.” Her mom reached over and gave her a big one. It felt good.
    â€œI’m all right. Which sister?”
    â€œGabby.”
    Of course. “Yeah. She called the other day and hung up on me.”
    Mom talked to the carrots. “She hung up on you? Why did she do that? Did you say something to her?”
    â€œYes, I did. She bugged me about Adrian.” She leaned over her mother. “Pass me that glass…stupid carrot.”
    She did. “Who’s Adrian?”
    Lexie coughed. “Mother. You only met him the other night.”
    â€œOh, your weird friend, yes, of course.”
    She pushed the water button on the fridge and filled her glass. “He’s not weird, Mom.”
    â€œI’m sure he isn’t, dear, but he wasn’t very animated.”
    She drank her water. “No, I guess not. He wasn’t his usual self. We probably scared him to death.”
    â€œNo doubt. Only, I was supposed to pick Gabby up